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 Catalina 25 Specific Forum
 noisy swing keel		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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mqp
1st Mate

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USA
46 Posts
Initially Posted - 07/17/2002 :  11:56:53  Show Profile
I just bought a SK/SR C25 and it appears that the keel moves around a lot in its trunk, especially when the water is choppy. The noise is very unnerving. Is this commom?

--Minh
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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts
Response Posted - 07/17/2002 :  13:19:55  Show Profile
Hi Minh,
If it's the clunking sound, the hole that the pivot pin goes through has enlarged do to wear. I've heard that the bushing kits are not very effective. There are plastic shims (that keep the keel centered on the pin) which may have fallen out. Keeping the keel properly shimmed <i>may help a little.</i>
I trued up the hole and had an oversized pin machined.

Steve Madsen
#2428
<img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>J (Ode to Joy)
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mqp
1st Mate

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USA
46 Posts
Response Posted - 07/17/2002 :  17:27:34  Show Profile
Thanks, Steve. Does this have to be done immediately? Or can it wait until the winter. I'm just affaid that the keel is going to fall off.

--Minh
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Mike Vaccaro
1st Mate

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77 Posts
Response Posted - 07/18/2002 :  07:43:47  Show Profile
Dear Minh,

We've got a swing keel, and experienced the same problem. The proper solution is to drop the keel and re-bush the hole through the keel. There are two ways to make a bushing. The first is to simply use an appropriately sized piece of stainless steel pipe, cut to match the thickness of the keel. The second method is to have a bushing turned by a machine shop. This is a fairly extensive project, since the keel weighs 1500 lbs! The most difficult part of the job besides handling the keel, is to ream out the pin hole. There are numerous tech tips on techniques for dropping the keel, and it's possible to drop it on a trailer, if you have one.

The reason the hole elongates is that the cast iron keel is softer than the bronze keel pin.

If you go to the trouble of re-bushing the hole, it's quite simple to add shims and replace the keel pin and the keel mounting bolts.

This is probably a good project to contract with your local boat yard! When we fixed ours, we also replaced the winch, keel cable and keel mounting bolts--in effect "overhauling" the keel. The entire repair cost about 850 dollars, including parts and labor. If you contact the tech reps at Catalina, they will recommend the bushing repair. The concern is that the pin hole is not too far from the edge of the keel, and if it were to continue to wear, it's possible that you could lose the keel eventually.

As for determining whether or not the repair can wait, it's difficult to hazard a guess, but if you were to pull the boat, it's possible to inspect that area from underneath. I guess the bottom line here is, if in doubt, haul it out and take a look. By bushing and shimming the keel, we've eliminated keel "clunk" completely.

Hope this helps!

Mike Vacccaro on the "Swoose"
84 TR/SK #4707
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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts
Response Posted - 07/18/2002 :  09:15:41  Show Profile
Well said Mike.
Minh, sounds like a case of <i>fear of the unknown.</i> For piece of mind, you might consider pulling the boat and inspecting this connection - and if you're not sure, find some qualified help. It is a pretty straight forward piece of hardware though. Don't forget to inspect the keel cable while you're at it! You'll enjoy the season more if you can eliminate the worry . . . <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.